A THIEF stole winners medals awarded to six Sale Sharks players after the club's rugby union European Challenge Cup victory.

The specially commissioned medals were inside a kit bag stolen from a car at Stockport County's Edgeley Park stadium.

Sale's director of rugby Philippe St Andre said the thief struck as Sharks staff and players celebrated the 27-3 victory over French side Pau.

Jason White, Steve Hanley and Chris Rhys Jones were among the players whose medals were stolen.

The chief executive of Sale Sharks, Niels De Vos, described the crime as "appalling" adding: "The medals are valueless to anyone other than the players. I appeal for them to be sent back. The players are devastated."

Steve Hanley, who didn't play in the final game because he has a broken leg, said: "I might have been more upset if I had actually played, but even so it's very upsetting having worked so hard throughout the season to achieve that goal. It's probably worse for Chris Rhys Jones as that was his last game before he leaves to play rugby league for St Helens.

"Hopefully it's something that can be rectified and they can be replaced."

Jason White also didn't play in the match because of a broken thumb.

Jubilant

Rugby bosses are in talks with the club to order replacements.

The Sharks beat Pau to lift the European Challenge Cup at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, then returned to the Edgeley Park stadium in Hardcastle Road to parade the trophy in front of jubilant fans.

Club officials and players then went on to a civic reception, and it is understood that cars were left outside the stadium overnight.

Philippe St Andre said everyone at the club was upset by the theft.

He said: "It is very sad that this happened at our stadium."

It is understood that players' personal belongings were also stolen.

The victory marked a triumphant year for the Sharks, who have qualified for European rugby union's top club competition the Heineken Cup.

The European Challenge Cup is one of three major European rugby union club competitions organised by the independent European Rugby Cup (ERC), which is supported by each country's rugby board. The other two are the Heineken Cup and the European Shield.

An ERC spokesman said it would check stocks of replacement medals. He added: "The club has informed us that a number of their medals have been stolen. We are talking to the club to get details."

Police confirmed that they are investigating the theft and damage to a car. Club officials and players reported the incident to police on Sunday morning.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called at 9.25am on Sunday after a number of vehicles were broken into on the car park of Stockport County Football. Investigations are ongoing."